A CARE worker pinned a vulnerable woman against a wall and shouted abuse at her before threatening another member of staff, a court heard.

The 44-year-old woman, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder which leaves her completely dependent on support workers, was heard crying out during the alleged incident by other staff at the Bolton Council-run sheltered accommodation in Worsley Road, Farnworth.

Ann Leach, aged 48, of Piggott Street, Farnworth, is charged with 10 counts of ill treatment of a person without capacity.

Her colleague, Joanne Robinson, aged 47, of Bolton Road, Kearsley, is charged with six counts of the same offence.

Both women deny the charges.

At their trial at Manchester Crown Court yesterday, support worker Catherine Reehill said she went into the woman’s room with another member of staff after she heard her crying out.

Miss Reehill told the court: “She was distressed, she was biting her hand and crying and Ann had her pinned against the wall and was shouting in her face.”

She said when she confronted Leach about the incident, she was threatened and felt afraid.

Miss Reehill said: “She said ‘she (the woman) just gets on my nerves’. She said ‘it is your word against mine’ and that she knew people.

“She knew people from Salford. She knew a lot of rough people that could sort me out if I said anything.”

Miss Reehill said Leach “routinely” swore at the woman, calling her ugly and telling her she smelled.

She added: “She was quite aggressive towards her and would say cutting personal comments.”

Miss Reehill told the court she complained about Leach’s behaviour a number of times, but no action was taken.

The court heard the sheltered accommodation was short staffed and care workers often had to work overtime.

Miss Reehill said: “Ann would work a shift at short notice if people were ill or she would work a double shift, that’s 48 hours and is stressful in itself.

“I think she is essentially a good person and I think she did it because she was stressed.”

The case continues